A Wavering Culture

Over the past few months I have relied heavily on my iPod to help get me through solo workouts, whether hill repeats, speed work or progression long runs. My traditional playlists were no longer fueling my fire and I felt like I needed to change, so I went to Trail Runner Nation (TRN) website and downloaded numerous podcasts.

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I synced twelve episodes to my iPod and tuned in during my most recent hill workout. There are no catchy song lyrics or rhythmic beats, rather a group of people drawn to conversation through a like connection: ultra running. After TRN lead-in hosts Don Freeman and Scott Warr introduced their guests Bob Crowley and Josh Katzman, I found the topic of conversation became captivating and thought provoking. The discussion explored trail running culture and questioned whether or not we are at risk of losing it. Trail culture, like our natural playground, is invaluable so I feared the potential answer that Bob and Josh may arrive at. I wanted to speed the discussion forward so I could unearth the answer sooner rather than later, but looked at my watch and realized I had the time to be patient since I still had many miles to run.

Just about a third of the way through the podcast I pushed pause for a few minutes so I could digest the discussion. Without doubt, trail culture is the reason why I was first taken by the sport hook, line and sinker. When I ran my first ultra race I felt like it was me competing against myself and the course, and that fellow runners were there to teach me, cheer me on and keep me company as I navigated mile after mile. Complete strangers shared their knowledge on gear, fueling/nutrition, training and trail etiquette. We were not throwing elbows, leaving each other on the ground behind or watching each other needlessly bonk. We pushed each other not in attempts to break one another, but rather, to help each push beyond perceived limits. The photo above is of Glen Redpath and I supporting runners at Vermont 100. Glen has always been someone that I have looked to for advice and guidance since becoming an ultrarunner.

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Until this moment, as I was sprinting uphill and listening to TRN, I hadn't really put too much thought into the idea that the culture I loved was perhaps in jeopardy. Ultimately, I knew that it had been changing and evolving like much does in life, although I automatically assumed that growth meant positive progression. In 2013, Ultra Running Magazine reported that there was nearly a 10% jump in the number of ultra-racers from the prior year. Additionally, Ultra Running Magazine reported that there were more races than ever before, along with more finishers than ever before (69,573). So, do the record numbers of ultra races and ultra finishers equate to a stronger culture?

I didn't have an answer yet, but that was okay because I still had hill repeats to finish and miles to cover. With the growth in numbers of races and participants there has also been an increase in the commercialization of the sport. There is more literature, media, gear, technology, coaching services and food and nutrition products targeted towards ultra runners. Prize money has been popping up at different races across the country and at the same time individuals are being sponsored by one or numerous companies for product and/or money. These recent developments have brought about the labeling of individuals as "professional ultra runners" who are essentially competing as a way to support themselves, which in my opinion has never been feasible until the past 2-3 years.

All of this mentioned growth does change the feel of a sport that was originally deemed as a grassroots culture. From my perspective over the past decade, the culture started moving in a direction that is more self-promoting and less tribal. I have seen individuals turn to the internet as their main source of education, I have seen trail running clubs in my area wane in numbers and have experienced ultra runners placing more value on their finish time than slowing to help a fellow runner in need. With these personal experiences, and after listening to the podcast, I would argue that yes, ultra-trail culture is at risk, and in this case more is not necessarily better. I do realize that my conclusion is based on my personal experiences and location and realize that what is happening across the nation may ultimately contradict me, and in this case I would like to be wrong!

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A training run that several of us did to the top of Mount Mansfield. A handful of different running abilities, but nevertheless all smiles!

courtesy of Aliza Lapierre

Labels are just labels but I take pride in calling myself an ultra runner because of what I believe it stands for. By listening to the podcast, and through writing this blog, I now realize that I need to do a better job at helping maintain the aspects of the ultra running culture and the "spirit of the trail" that lured me to the sport. Words and phrases like community, leave no trace, camaraderie, acceptance, sharing, exploration, respect for each other and nature and discovery are forefront on my mind and in my heart. Like Bob does towards the end of the podcast, I ask you to think about the tenets of ultra running culture that you value and about how you can help keep our culture strong and headed in the right direction.

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